re: How long should breakers last?

quote:

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Our home is 4 years old. Over the last 6 months, I’ve had to replace 3 arc fault breakers. They run about $75 each. I have a Cutler Hammer panel and it uses Eaton breakers.

My wife is concerned we have some electrical problems, but if the breaker trips, then it’s doing it’s job.

Should I chalk this up to “they don’t make things like they use to” or seek a professional?

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Arc fault breakers are designed to fail and will do so in 3-5 years almost 100% of the time. They ought to be outlawed and the AHJs should prevent their use in their jurisdiction....they are garbage and the ONLY thing positive to come from them is Siemens was able to get in on the ground floor of the most recent debacle in the NEC when they missed out on the GFI windfall back in the day. Thats a fact....there are reams of paper and articles written on the subject. They have not prevented a single fire or injury that can be documented and the number of such incidents that they could prevent, at best, is minimal. What ain't minimal is the number of service calls consumers are faced with....very expensive service calls. They are a load of BS that the unexpected public was saddled with for no reason other than Siemens missed out on the initial economic windfall that was GFIs.